UTEP went 2-11 in 2003 and then they turned the program over to Mike Price. Price posted back to back 8-4 seasons in his first two at UTEP and led them to bowl games. Unfortunately, they haven't had a winning season or been back to a bowl since 2005. Even though they went 4-8 last year they did beat Houston (then #12 in the Nation) 58 to 41. UTEP returns some impressive talent on the offensive side of the football but the achilles heel of the team last year was the defense. Can Price turn around the UTEP defense and be a contender in Conference USA? We caught up with Adrian from the SB Nation blog Miner Rush to find out what to expect from the 2010 UTEP Miners.

What are the major strengths and biggest weaknesses of the team?

The major strength is obviously talent at the skill positions on offense. Trevor Vittatoe is a four year starter at quarterback who will be expected to have a 3,000 yard season this fall. Donald Buckram finished fourth in the nation last year in rushing. He's a small, speed back, who has a knack for breaking tackles and runs with surprising power for his size. He has incredible vision and might be the closest thing at the college level to Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans. Kris Adams has potential to be a threat at the WR postition. His numbers weren't great last year but Miner fans expect a big year from him.

The team's greatest weakness will probably be the transition to a new defensive scheme. New defensive coordinator, Andre Patterson, is switching UTEP over from a 3-3-5 to a 4-3 attack. The Miners showed promise along the defensive line during spring and while they may be undersized as a whole, have decent depth that they will need to free up their linebacker corps led by the very talented Jeremy Springer and Royzell Smith. The team's secondary struggled immensely last year as the 3-3-5 required tons of man to man coverage. Expect a transition into more traditional zone sets to really help a team with talent maximize their potential.

Looking at the schedule who will be the first major test?

I mean no disrespect to Arkansas-Pine Bluff in week one, because as a Miner fan, we can't take any games for granted, but the first major test is definitely Houston in week 2. The Cougars came in to El Paso ranked #12 in the nation last year, fresh off wins against Oklahoma State and Texas Tech, and had legitimate BCS expectations. Then, Donald Buckram & Co. torched their defense to the tune of 58-41 and the rest of Houston's season was quite forgettable. UTEP and Houston have a history of tough games and the early season game will be huge for the C-USA West race. Andre Patterson's new defense will have to play a perfect game to slow down Case Keenum.

What team on the schedule do you fear the most?

I'm not sure Miner fans "fear" any team on the schedule right now because nobody on the schedule looks to be as good as Texas was last year and the year before. This team has played the very best competition in the country, and while the second game wasn't nearly as competitive as the first, I'm confident that the Miners can hang around with anybody on their schedule. Even Arkansas.

Who is the best player on your team that nobody talks about?

Good question and there are a lot of good players that don't get the acclaim they deserve. If I had to pick one, I'd go with TE Jonny Moore. Moore is not used in the passing game the way he probably could be, but if you watch Donald Buckram's highlights from last season, time and time again you will see Moore getting quality blocks downfield. He's a ferocious blocker and is essential to UTEP's success.

Who is the best offensive player on the team?

There are a lot of good players on the team. Rod Huntley, Vittatoe, Adams, and Alex Solot are all quality D-1 players who at the very least will be fighting for an UFA contract at some point, but the star is probably Buckram. He's one of the most entertaining players to watch in the country. End of Story.

Who is the most impactful defensive player on the team?

Linebacker Jeremy Springer is all over the field on just about every play. He's a gamer and is one of those guys that even when he doesn't make the tackle, he's probably impacted the play in a way to make the tackle easier for someone else on the team. He's a good, hard nosed football player.

What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it's full capability?

I can't identify one single player. I'll say it's the entire secondary. In the C-USA, with Tulsa, Houston, and other elite spread offenses littering the conference, it's essential that you have a secondary that plays tough coverage and has players that don't miss tackles that make marginal plays game changers. UTEP lost some leaders in the secondary in Cornelius Brown (now trying to make it with the Chicago Bears) and Da'Mon Cromartie Smith (now trying to make it with the Steelers). It will be interesting to see how the new guys step up and adjust to the new scheme.

Who is the top defensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

Getting back to the secondary, the Miners expect big things from JC transfer cornerback Travaun Nixon. He has good size, 6'1-205. and displayed excellent cover ability during spring ball. He showed vast improvement from the beginning of camp to the end of camp and emerged as a guy that could be the #1 corner in the fall.

Mike Price has been the Head Coach for 6 years. He started out with 2 winning seasons and since has had 4 straight losing seasons and has not posted a winning conference record since 2005. How much pressure is he under to turn around the program and what does he need to do better to get the job done?

Finish games. The Miners lost 5 games last year by 7 points or less. Some of the losses were absolutely baffling. For example, the Miners followed their triumph against Houston with an absolutely atrocious loss to Memphis. There was no reason why the Miners should have lost to Tulane or Rice. Coach Price is beloved in El Paso but the locals need UTEP to win the ones their supposed to. With Vittatoe a senior, and with one of the best running backs in the country, anything less than a bowl game will render this season a disappointment and the pressure will rise on Coach Price.

Gut feeling on the teams final record at the end of the regular season and what makes this a successful season in your eyes?

I don't want to toss out numbers just yet, but like I said the Miners have to make a bowl game for this season to be a success. Miner fans want a winning record and with the senior talent it's justifiable to expect a bowl game this season. Anything more than 7-5 is cake for us. We want to see Trevor go out a winner and we want to see Mike Price's reputation vindicated nationally, but we understand that progress comes slowly and we are conditioned to not be greedy when it comes to expectations. Realistically, a winning record and bowl game will revive a city desperate to root for a winner.

Rather than just blog about a formal subject, I have decided to take the hodge-podge of ideas in my head and put them to this document I am typing on currently.

-On Expansion…

-Being a Nebraska fan I feel that this is a terrible idea especially since I will have to deal with Ohio State, Michigan and (potentially) Notre Dame fans even more than I already have to. Being from Ohio I find it to be a treat that I can sit back and watch the madness of these fans as their teams blow big games, and in some cases just outright suck. The fact is, these people are among the most annoying people I have ever met in my life, and I have no doubts that I would end up throwing myself off a bridge if I were to encounter these people in an opposing manner up to two times a year at most. So for the love of all that is sacred with Nebraska this expansion can’t happen…EVER. Unless it is to the MAC or something of that nature.

-On Husker Locker Blog’s Top 30 players of the past 30 years.

-While I do agree with most of the list, the fact that Zac Taylor did not get an honorable mention astounds me for many reasons. I know there is a tendency to not like anything heavily involved with the Callahan Era, but Taylor does hold many of the passing records at Nebraska. Yes, I am aware, that you or I could have broken most of the passing records following all the years of Option, but it is more than that, he lead Nebraska to their biggest wins of the Callahan Era against Michigan in the 2006 Alamo Bowl, and the fourth quarter drive against Texas A&M the following season. I didn’t expect him to be ranked in the Top 30, but the fact he wasn’t given an honorable mention, as I said before, completely astounds me.

Oregon has had a wild ride lately but to their credit they weathered the storm last year and won the conference by posting an 8-1 Pac-10 record. Oregon had one of the best offenses in the Pac-10 last year and were in the Top 10 in the Nation in scoring and rushing. How will they fare in Chip Kelly's 2nd year at the helm? We caught up with David from Addicted To Quack to learn more about Oregon football.

What are the major strengths and biggest weaknesses of the team?

The obvious strength, and what Oregon has been known for since Chip Kelly took over the offense, is that we are going to run the ball. A lot. The whole offensive line is back. LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner are back (and we’ll bring in 5* running back Lache Seastrunk to boot). But maybe less talked about is how good the defense is. This isn’t LSU or Florida where there are potential all-Americans at every position, but Oregon was the best defense in the Pac-10 by pretty much every metric last season, and that was with massive injuries to the secondary. Losing Will Tukuafu and Blake Ferras on the defensive line will hurt, but those are the only two major losses on defense (the secondary is more than deep enough that we won’t feel the loss of TJ Ward), and new DE Dion Jordan tore up spring camp. This is a team that returns almost every starter from a Rose Bowl team. Its pretty loaded.

The major weakness of this team at this point is the quarterback position. With Jeremiah Masoli suspended for the season, either senior Nate Costa (who won the job a couple of years ago before an ACL injury) or sophomore Darron Thomas will get the job. Neither of those QBs have a ton of game experience, but both are very talented. Costa is probably safer, but Thomas is more talented and the higher risk/reward type player. Regardless, our ability to run the read option will be somewhat compromised. That said, Masoli did not have the strongest and most consistent arm, and the hope is that we can make up for whatever is lost with Masoli’s running ability with an improved passing game.

Looking at the schedule who will be the first major test?

We open up with New Mexico, which may be one of the worst teams in Division 1 football. But our second game is a road trip to Knoxville, Tennessee. And while Tennessee may be down, they are still an SEC team with SEC talent, and going into Neyland Stadium in front of 100k+ is never an easy task. Tennessee has a myriad of problems—new coach, new quarterback, etc., and I fully expect the Ducks to go into Neyland and take care of business. But its definitely a game where if you don’t bring it, you’ll get knocked off.

What team on the schedule do you fear the most?

Fear? We’re Oregon. We don’t fear anybody. Now, there are teams that are talented enough to beat you. And USC is still the most talented team in this league. Therefore, if I had to put money on somebody beating the Ducks, that road trip down to LA would be my bet. They are loaded at every position, and we haven’t played terribly well there in quite some time. Playing Oregon State in Corvallis is no easy task, either, and they will be aiming for us as we’ve knocked them out of the Rose Bowl two years running. We respect those teams very much. But we fear no one.

Who is the best player on your team that nobody talks about?

I’m going to give credit to the offensive line right here. They were a much maligned, jumbled, and inexperienced unit going into last year, which was painfully obvious in the Boise State debacle. But that group really gelled as the season went on, developing into the best line in the conference. With this whole unit back, there should be no shortage of holes for LaMichael James to run through.

Who is the best offensive player on the team?

LaMichael James. Ran for over 1500 yards as a freshman. Was also one of the fastest sprinters in the Pac-10 this season for the track team. This team is full of great players. James is the star.

Who is the most impactful defensive player on the team?

That’s hard to say, because the defensive system is designed so that everyone has to work together. The best defensive player is probably safety John Boyett, who can make plays all over the field. But the most impactful is probably Kenny Rowe, pass rush extraordinaire. 11 sacks speaks for itself. He puts a ton of pressure on the QB and puts everyone else in position to make plays.

What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it's full capability?

It has to be the quarterback. This offense should once again be amazing, but we have to have consistent play at that position.

Who is the top offensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

There are two guys that I’ll talk about here, and both could pay huge dividends in the receiving game. Redshirt freshman Diante Jackson was injured for a lot of spring, but he was maybe our most heralded recruit last season and at 6’2”, is the kind of big target that we missed in our passing game last year. Also, JUCO transfer Brandon Williams will see a lot of time at tight end. He’s a big dude at 6’4” and really had a fantastic spring. Both of those weapons should make the passing game much more dynamic this season.

Who is the top defensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

I think I mentioned earlier that we lost a couple of guys on the defensive line, and that the returning players are a bit small? Freshman Ricky Heimuli comes in next fall. He is Oregon’s most highly touted D-line recruit since Haloti Ngata, and at 6’4” and nearly 300 pounds, could be the big stuffer up the middle that we’ve been looking for.

Gut feeling on the teams final record at the end of the regular season and what makes this a successful season in your eyes?

This should be another very good season. Its probably the most talented squad Oregon has ever had. The biggest problem I see is that the schedule doesn’t align as nicely as it did last season, as we have to go to USC, to Berkeley, and to Corvallis. I think we roll through our fairly mediocre non-conference schedule but, realistically, its going to be tough to make it through the conference schedule without probably two losses. So I say a 10-2 regular season. In an average Pac-10 year, that’s probably enough to win the league and get Oregon back to Pasadena. 11 wins very possible, but would be quite surprising. In my mind, 10 regular season wins is a success. Less than that is a disappointment with this group.

Thanks again to the Oregon SB Nation website Addicted To Quack. Follow them on twitter @AddictedToQuack.

In 2008 Washington hit the lowest of lows by posting a 0-12 record and getting drubbed by USC 56-0. First year coach Steve Sarkisian led the Huskies to a 5 game turnaround including a win over USC. This is Jake Locker's final year at Washington before he turns over the reigns to a new QB (possibly Nick Montana). Can the Huskies make enough improvement this year to garner a bowl bid? Anthony from the UW Dawg Pound gives us his take on the 2010 Washington Huskies.

What are the major strengths and biggest weaknesses of the team?

The team's biggest strength is on the offensive side of the ball. Every skill player is back, most notably quarterback Jake Locker who many said could have been a first round pick if he had left after last season. He had a great year last year, and most feel that he'll take another big step forward in year two under Steve Sarkisian. Joining Locker in the backfield is Chris Polk, who last season set the UW's freshman record for rushing yardage, so the Husky offense should be pretty balanced.

The team's weakness lies in the play of the lines on both sides of the ball, but I'd say the D line is a bigger question mark. The team will be trying to replace DE Daniel Teo-Nesheim, a 3rd round pick who graduated as the program's all time leader in sacks, and even with him the line struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks with any sort of consistency. Add in the arrest and suspension of Andru Pulu (who was expected to compete for a starting spot) and the defensive line, particularly DE, is the team's biggest worry.

Looking at the schedule who will be the first major test and why?

Opening on the road is never easy, and this season UW has to go to Provo to take on a pretty good BYU team on the first weekend. It's going to be a game with a lot of storylines: BYU true freshman Jake Heaps could potentially start at QB, he's from the Seattle area and was heavily recruited by the Huskies, Washington coach Steve Sarkisian will be making a homecoming to BYU where he played for two seasons, and Jake Locker will be looking for revenge after losing two years ago to BYU 21-20 when an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was thrown on him for tossing the ball behind his head after scoring a touchdown. Should be an exciting game that sets the tone for the season.

What team on the schedule do you fear the most?

I'm tempted to say Nebraska, but since they have to come to Husky stadium, I'd say Oregon worries me more. For the better part of a decade they've been giving the Huskies fits with their spread offense; the Dawgs just haven't had the personnel on defense to keep up with it, and I'm not confident this season will be much different. Add in the trip to Eugene to play in Autzen Stadium, and that right now looks like the toughest game on the schedule.

Who is the best player on your team that nobody talks about?

Desmond Trufant. He's the younger brother of Seahawks corner Marcus Trufant, and he'll be a true sophomore this year. Last season he missed some of fall camp due to an NCAA Clearinghouse issue (if I remember correctly, they didn't count a sign language class he took in high school) which set him back a bit, but by mid-season he was starting and was arguably the secondary's best player. He made a ton of plays all over the field last season. Despite his youth, he may be among the Pac-10's best corners this season, and who knows, with continued development he could end up being a first round pick just like his big brother.

Who is the best offensive player on the team?

Jake Locker, and nobody else is close. If you've seen him play, you know what a freak athlete he is. Some called him the Tim Tebow of the west coast, which might be somewhat of an insult to Jake. He's that good. As a freshman he set the conference record for rushing yards from the quarterback position, and he's rumored to have 4.4 speed. I'm always skeptical when people say things like that, but one thing is clear regardless of stopwatch times: when Locker takes off running, he makes defenders look like they're running in quicksand. The coaching staff was learning how best to use Locker's talents, but figured it out at the end of the year, closing the season with victories over Cal and Washington State by a combined 72-10, where Locker threw for 444 yards and 4 touchdowns while rushing for 171 yards and another 3 touchdowns. He's among the most dangerous players in all of college football.

Who is the most impactful defensive player on the team?

Maybe Mason Foster. He had a big season last year at linebacker, and will be counted on to be a leader this year.

What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it's full capability?

The offensive line collectively. Poor line play cost this team a couple games last year. People may remember the Notre Dame game, where the Huskies had something like 11 plays from the 1 yard line and couldn't get enough push to score touchdowns. The coaching staff has been experimenting moving players around on the line to try and find the right formula, and if they can do that this offense can be really good. The rest of the pieces are there.

Who is the top offensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

This is going to have to be split between two players: Deontae Cooper and Jesse Callier. They're going to be true freshmen this year, and have had nothing but rave reviews since they stepped on campus (both enrolled early for spring ball). They were the number 1 and number 2 running backs in California in terms of yardage their senior year of high school and the coaching staff really feels like they stole a couple gems away from the likes of USC and UCLA. With Chris Polk having surgery and sitting out this spring, they split the lions share of the carries and showed that they're going to be ready to step in as backup RBs from the first game.

Who is the top defensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

A kid by the name of Will Shamburger took a lot of people by surprise in spring ball and worked his way into contention for a starting safety spot. He kind of came out of nowhere after sitting out last year with an injury, but will likely end up seeing a ton of playing time this year as a redshirt freshman.

Gut feeling on the teams final record at the end of the regular season and what makes this a successful season in your eyes?

The season will be successful if the team reaches a bowl game. Fewer than six wins will not be well received. The schedule is really tough this year, with most of the hardest games coming on the road, and since the Pac-10 plays an unbalanced schedule, this is the year that the Huskies have to play 5 conference road games. The Huskies have to travel to BYU, USC, Arizona, Oregon, and Cal, then finish up by going to Pullman to play Washington State in December for a rivalry game. Not fun. But there's enough talent on the roster that every game is winnable, and I think that when the regular season is said and done Washington is a 7-5 team, getting ready for a bowl game

Thanks again to the SB Nation website UW Dawg Pound. Visit them for all of your sports information on the Washington Huskies.

Pete Carroll took over the reigns of USC and after a rebuilding year promptly took them to 7 straight double digit win seasons until last years 9 win team. Carroll has gone pro again and USC made the decision to hire Lane Kiffin as Head Coach. Kiffin went 5-15 as a coach in the NFL and 7-6 in a rebuilding year at Tennessee last year. Is he the man to keep USC as the team to beat in the Pac-10? The USC blog The Trojan Empire took some time out of their regularly scheduled programming and answered some questions for us about the state of USC football.

What are the major strengths and biggest weaknesses of the team?

The major strength may be at quarterback, where Matt Barkley now has a full season of experience. One of Pete Carroll's mistakes may have been playing him as a true freshman, and it began to show, especially seeing that the Trojans had one of the nation's worst third down efficiency ratings in 2009. Lane Kiffin has already gone on record as saying he wouldn't have started Barkley last year. The media engaged in Barkley hero worship after the Ohio State game. But if you watch tape of that final drive, Joe McKnight put in the bulk of the work, and received very little credit for it.

The biggest weakness is in the offensive trench. It's not that it's lacking in talent. It lacks depth. This is where most injuries occur during the course of a season, and USC is short on able bodies to plug in when teammates go down. The Spring depth chart listed only three offensive tackles, which included freshman Seantrel Henderson, who wasn't even on campus or participating in spring drills.

Another area of weakness will be the secondary. The Trojans lost both cornerbacks and both safeties to graduation and/or the draft.

Looking at the schedule who will be the first major test and why?

This team will be tested the entire season, since they have no identity. The first major test may be the September road trip to Minnesota. It's a big stage against a major conference opponent, and it's important to see how this group of Trojans will respond. The quality of the Golden Gophers doesn't matter, because it's not like USC has never lost to bad teams. Dropping a game early to Virginia or Minnesota can be mentally damaging, causing a trickle down effect that can wreck the remainder of the season. They can lose those games and still win the Pac 10, but the pride of USC goes beyond that.

What team on the schedule do you fear the most?

Oregon State is probably the more feared, and mostly because of venue. Even though they were ripped by the Ducks a year ago, USC will host them this fall. Oregon has always been a different team away from home. USC was also embarrassed by Stanford, and have to travel to Palo Alto to play. But the Cardinal lost a major weapon when Toby Gerhart opted for the draft. The team to fear is the Beavers, who are playing at home. The Trojans have lost a game in the State of Oregon in each of the last four seasons.

Who is the best player on your team that nobody talks about?

It's probably Shareece Wright. He's a shutdown corner that missed all of the 2009 regular season with academic issues, before appearing in the Emerald Bowl. He's one of the best defensive backs in the country.

Who is the best offensive player on the team?

My pick for best offensive player isn't any at the skill positions. It's the center, Kris O'Dowd. If the entire offensive unit was draft eligible, O'Dowd would be the only player selected in the first round of 2011. He made his mark playing as a true freshman in 2007. He battled injuries a year ago that eliminated him from first team all American honors, but if he stays healthy, his name will be listed in December.

Who is the most impactful defensive player on the team?

I would say there are two defensive players that will have a major impact on the unit. One is defensive tackle Jurrell Casey. Much was made of the ineffectiveness of the young linebacking group last year, but the criticism was somewhat unfair. It all begins up front, and the Trojans weren't getting it done on the defensive line. Along with Everson Griffen, Casey was one of the only bright spots, and I expect more from him this season. The other player is Devon Kennard, who Monte Kiffen moved from the hybrid position to middle linebacker. Personally, I'm not crazy about the move, because Kennard has the potential to be one of the best outside linebackers the Trojans have ever had. That's saying a lot, when you look at Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews that came through the program. Kennard will now split time with Chris Galippo in the middle.

What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it's full capability?

That's easily Brice Butler. Matt Barkley has established chemistry with Ronald Johnson, but to free RoJo from double coverage, another receiver, Brice Butler, needs to step up his game. He's a good kid, a perfectionist that is really down on himself for dropped passes, so he'll always work hard and give it his all. But until he shows consistency, the pass attack will be crippled by the lack of a supporting cast.

Who is the top offensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

Matt Leinart, Mark Sanchez, and Matt Barkley all had something that John David Booty didn't, and that's a playmaker. Leinart had Bush, Sanchez and Barkley both had Damian Williams. Williams is now gone, and Dillon Baxter will become that highlight reel player. Baxter enrolled early and became the buzz of the spring. Only a freshman, he's already drawing comparison's to Reggie Bush, which isn't always a good thing for the player. But if you ever get the opportunity to watch him on tape, you'll see why the comparison is made.

Who is the top defensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

I don't anticipate any youngsters having much of an impact on defense. They've replaced the secondary, but with guys that have all played before. The newcomers that may have an impact defensively are coaches Monte Kiffin and Ed Orgeron. Pete Carroll was a defensive mastermind, and one of the people he worked with in the NFL, and learned from, was Monte Kiffin.

Gut feeling on the teams final record at the end of the regular season and what makes this a successful season in your eyes?

My gut feeling is 10-3. Besides the Beavers, there's a desert trap set in Arizona, and you can never completely rule out the defending Pac 10 champion Ducks. USC football is a tradition of excellence, though it had periods of lows. The only thing that makes a season successful is to be in the running for a national championship. Let's just put it this way, Tennessee erupted in a near riot because a 7-6 coach decided to leave. The Empire's reaction would not be the same.

Fight On!

Thanks again to The Trojan Empire. Visit their website here for all your USC football needs. You can also follow them on Twitter @TrojanEmpire.

- Is this the baseball edition of Friday Morning Links? Washington QB Jake Locker signed a Six-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels last year and got a fat bonus check from it. If he doesn't play some baseball this summer he could be paying some money back to the Angels.

- Last week I told you to get the new album "Brothers" by The Black Keys. If you didn't then you are the one who is losing! This week I need to remind you that The Rolling Stone re-released their album Exile on Main Street this week with 10 bonus tracks. I grew up after the Stone were already old so I never really followed them. But I started listening to this album earlier this year and it's really great. I haven't heard the new tracks yet but I'm planning on getting some quality I-Pod time this weekend.

UNLV went 5-7 last year and posted the statistically worst defense in the Mountain West Conference. This year they have out of conference dates with Wisconsin and West Virginia and will be breaking in a new coach in former Montana Coach Bobby Hauck. We caught up with Jacob from the Mountain West Connection website to get his views going into the season. The last 5 coaches in Rebels history have left the school with a losing record, can Hauck change this?

What are the major strengths and biggest weaknesses of the team?

The major strengths of team are the QB option and the defensive line on defense. Weaknesses are probably our offensive line's pass protection and our pass coverage on defense. Our running game isn't very good because we don't have a great running back and we lost some talent to the NFL in our offensive line. We lost one of our all-time great Wide Receivers and our straight up passing game isn't very good. On offense, that leaves the option as our major strength. Our QB runs the option very well and we need to use that as an advantage. On defense our pass coverage is horrible and our cornerbacks and safeties aren't very good at covering the run. So that leaves our defensive line as our strength. We return a lot on the defensive line and they were stout when faced against the run last season. Their pass rush improved all of last year and hopefully that will carry over into this season. Our offensive weakness is our offensive line. Like I said, we lost some talent to the NFL on that line and at this year's spring game, they didn't look very good in their pass protection or run blocking. If we are going to play well this year that is definitely going to have to improve. On defense, our pass coverage is horrible when it comes to stopping a receiver from flying up the seams. We just can't seem to stay with him for some reason.

Looking at the schedule who will be the first major test and why?

Our first major test? Boy, we start the season off at home versus Wisconsin and then on the road at Utah. But I wouldn't consider those tests because those games will not test UNLV on what team they should be this year, they are not going to be a team defeating top 25 teams left and right. Their first test should probably come against Nevada. If they want to show that they're at least an Okay team, they're going to need to beat Nevada.

What team on the schedule do you fear the most?

What team on the schedule do I fear the most? Probably Utah. Most would have picked Wisconsin and that makes a lot of sense, but I'm not expecting much good to come out of that game. Because of the schedule order, I fear Utah the most because if we do not beat them, we probably will be down 0-2 to start the season and that is not a very good start to the season.

Who is the best player on your team that nobody talks about?

The best player on the UNLV squad that nobody talks about is probably Michael Johnson. He is a Junior Wide Receiver that is second down on the depth chart. When people talk about UNLV, they barely ever mention this guy. He has great explosiveness and speed and can easily break away from man coverage, I see him possibly having a breakout season this year.

Who is the best offensive player on the team?

Our best offensive player on the team is Omar Clayton, our QB. He is very speedy and has good decision making skills. We run the option for most of the time, so that definitely comes in handy. He does have good vision in the passing game, but sometimes he can be inaccurate. Other than that he's great. If he's throwing accurately, UNLV can be very tough to stop on offense.

Who is the most impactful defensive player on the team?

Isaako Auitui impacts our defense the most. He is a Senior Defensive End that has highlighted our defensive line for a while. He has a good bull rush and a good swim move. If he is having success in getting to the QB, he can open up opportunities for the other defensive lineman by commanding a double team. Auitui also does well in getting off blocks and wrapping up the RB.

What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it's full capability?

In order for this team to reach its full capacity, Channing Trotter, Alex De Giacomo, and Travis Dixon are going to need to step up their game. Channing Trotter is a streaky running back that needs to perform well in order to stretch the field for the passing game. Alex De Giacomo and Travis Dixon are the 2 starting Defensive Backs and they need to provide good zone and man coverage in order for UNLV's pass coverage to reach its fullest extent.

Who is the top offensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

I really haven't seen a offensive newcomer that could make a difference this season on offense for UNLV. Now in the coming years, that's a different story. I think in two years current Freshman Caleb Herring will be the starting QB and playing well. Herring looked great under Coach Hauck's new offense and seemed to have great vision.

Who is the top defensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

I think Defensive End Desmond Tautofi can make the biggest difference as a freshman this year. When the Starting Defensive end behind Auitui went down, the depth chart put Tautofi at the starting position. Tautofi shows a great bull rush and great run stopping as a defensive end. Since he will be the starting freshman on the team, I think he will be the defensive newcomer that makes the biggest difference.

Gut feeling on the teams final record at the end of the regular season and what makes this a successful season in your eyes?

As a fan, you always want to see your team go undefeated. But I am realistic and know that won't happen this year. I see us either going 7-6 (4-4) or 6-7 (4-4) (we have 13 games this season). We should beat Colorado State, San Diego State, New Mexico and I think we will beat Air Force in an upset. In non-conference, I think we either beat Hawaii and Idaho or beat Hawaii, Idaho and Nevada. What makes this season successful to me is to get to a bowl game. The past two years, our head coach got us to 5-7 but couldn't quite get us over the hump to a bowl game. In Coach Hauck's first season, I think it would be successful if he finally got this team over the hump.

Utah was perfect in 2008. They went 13-0 and finished their season with a decisive win over SEC Runner-Up Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. There really wasn't anywhere to go from there but down. Utah posted a 10-3 record with two narrow defeats at the hands of Oregon and BYU. In their other loss they were thumped by TCU 55 to 28. Can Utah take back the Mountain West Conference from TCU this year and also hold off BYU and Air Force? The Utah Blog Block U weighs in on if they can repeat the magic from the 2008 season.

What are the major strengths and biggest weaknesses of the team?

Well I think Utah's biggest strength will be their consistency on offense this go around. In 2009, the Utes had to start the season with a new quarterback and generally, when you're going in with an untested guy under center, there are some concerns. That was Terrance Cain and he did a fairly decent job throughout most of the season, however, lost his starting job to Jordan Wynn eight games into the season. Cain was fairly productive as a quarterback in his first eight starts and had an exceptional record (7-1). Unfortunately, the offense wasn't living up to its level of expectations and often stagnated during games. In that eighth game against the Wyoming Cowboys on Halloween, the coaching staff made the switch at the half and Wynn has played ever since. Wynn's biggest win, of course, came in the Poinsettia Bowl against Cal. He was named the offensive MVP and, unless injury becomes an issue, should be Utah's starting quarterback when the 2010 season rolls around later this summer. Of course, even if he doesn't start, they'll have a quarterback in Cain who started in eight games- so the experience factor heavily benefits the offense.

The weakness might be the defense due to talent turnover. With that said, Utah's head coach is Kyle Whittingham and the defense has been his baby since 1994 here at Utah. The growing pains the Utes' defense generally sees is minimal and I've got to think, even with some big-time losses, that will be the case again this season. What could help ease the transition is the fact that Kalani Sitake, Utah's defensive coordinator, is no longer a rookie assistant. 2009 was his first season as a coordinator and there were obvious growing pains. That won't be the case in 2010.

Looking at the schedule who will be the first major test and why?

The first test is the first game against Pitt. I don't think I really need to explain why that game will be tough for Utah, since the Panthers probably will enter ranked even higher than the Utes. This is a statement game. If Utah can win, they'll be in good position to make some noise the remainder of the season. Any time you open up the year against a ranked team in your house and have a realistic shot of winning (if not being favored), it automatically becomes a huge game. The fans have it circled. The players have it circled. And it certainly will drive up the anticipation the closer we get to the start of the season.

What team on the schedule do you fear the most?

Probably TCU. The Frogs manhandled Utah last year and just a change of venue (the game was played in Fort Worth then) isn't going to fix the blatant talent discrepancies between each team. If the Frogs are every bit as good as they were last year and Utah is only marginally better, they potentially could still be facing a blowout loss- even at home.Who is the best player on your team that nobody talks about?

Griffin McNabb. He's a freshman, but had a great spring game and is in position to make a lot of noise as a wide receiver in a young offense. Since he's a freshman, though, not much has been mentioned of him lately. He did have a great spring game and Ute fans are hoping that carries over into the season.

Who is the best offensive player on the team?
That's a tough one. I'd like to think Jordan Wynn, but Matt Asiata is a beast. He'll be returning this season after missing most of last season due to an injury. As a running back, he positioned himself as one of Utah's biggest offensive threats. Of course, you can't go wrong with the guy who replaced him last season. That was Eddie Wide and he had a stretch of six consecutive games where he rushed for 100 or more yards, a school record. On the year, he finished with 1,069- that's without starting the first four games.

What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it's full capability?

I think the young defense needs to step up and live up to Utah defenses of the past. Wynn will have big shoes to fill because of how he ended last year (leading us to a win in our bowl game). Overall, the team is talented and has a nice balance needed to play at that full capacity.

Who is the top offensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

I think I've got to go with Griffin McNabb again. Maybe I'm overselling him, but he seems like the type of guy that could step in and become an instant impact player.

Gut feeling on the teams final record at the end of the regular season and what makes this a successful season in your eyes?

Utah really has a tough schedule. Pitt, Iowa State, Notre Dame, TCU and BYU all could be losses if they're not careful. With that said, I expect at least ten regular season wins (which means no more than two losses) and potentially- this is just potentially -an undefeated season. So I'll pick 11-1 as a compromise.If it's 10-2, it depends on who they lose to and whether or not they win a conference championship. Anything less and I guess we'll have to take it on a game by game basis. 12-0, well damn, I'll be in heaven!

Troy won the Sun Belt Conference last year by going undefeated in conference play. They didn't have as much success outside of the conference where they dropped 4 of the 5 games they played against non-conference foes (including the bowl loss to Central Michigan). They put up some big time stats on offense last year but must replace their starting QB this year. Their defense was middle of the pack statistically in the Sun Belt and they must replace a lot of key cogs on that side of the football. We caught up with Mike from GoTroyTrojans.com to find out more about this years version of the Trojans from Troy.

What are the major strengths and biggest weaknesses of the team?

Major Strengths: Coaching staff. We’ve had some great continuity among the coaching staff with some changes that have worked to our advantage. We lost OC Tony Franklin to Auburn and we get OC Neal Brown. We set most major offensive records with him as our OC. We lose Brown to Texas Tech. Now with new OC Kenny Edenfield, we expect to continue to do well on the offense.

Biggest Weaknesses: Injuries and ineligibilities. Haha, we were hit hard (specifically in the defensive backfield) with injuries and academic ineligibles. Our top DB gets ineligible for grades yet he still gets drafted!

Looking at the schedule who will be the first major test and why?

We have to make a statement from the very first game (Bowling Green). Last year we thought we’d roll into Ohio and clean their clocks. They had other plans. We need to show that we can beat other ‘mid-majors’ first and foremost. After that, we go to Oklahoma State who we beat up in ’08 but they returned the favor in ’09. The rubber match will be a good notch on our belt….if we can win.

What team on the schedule do you fear the most?

Since I absolutely cannot stand Univ of Alabama’s kid brother Birmingham, I would fear them, cause if we lose, well, I can’t even fathom it. As for who I fear because the should be good and should destroy us…the only one I can come up with Univ of South Carolina because they are in the SEC.

Who is the best player on your team that nobody talks about?

Because he’s a lineman, it would be James Brown (left tackle) in my opinion. This kid came in replacing a long time starter and improved on the position. He’s big (6’4”, 346lb) and can move. No one will talk about him because he’s not a QB or receiver, but this kid makes the team better. A lot better!

Who is the best offensive player on the team?

Easy question. Jerrel “I do it all” Jernigan. A multi-time all conference selection, JJ has made an impact on the Trojan squad in several positions. He’s primarily a receiver, but his punt/kick return skills are highly rewarding and he even lines up at QB from time to time. While on the short side for the NFL (5’9”) we are hopeful he’s our next offensive draftee.

Who is the most impactful defensive player on the team?

Man, we lost some great defensive players this year. From our Killer B’s Linebacker duo (Bear Woods-Falcons and Boris Lee-Chargers) to our great defensive ends (Cam Sheffield-Chiefs and Brandon Lang-Chargers) we’ve got a lot of replacing to do. One young bright spot from last year was freshman All-American defensive back Bryan Willis. This kid started all 13 games, 4 INT, and returned an onside kick for a TD. He’s super athletic and will have to be an automatic leader for not only our defensive backfield, but for our entire defense.

What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it's full capability?

There are a lot of candidates here. If you polled the Trojan Nation, you would hear names like Jamie Hampton (possible starting QB), Donnell Golden (possible starting LB) or even Josh Jarboe (possible starting WR). But I’m going to go with someone who is listed as a 3rd teamer after spring. LSU transfer Sidell Corley. This 6’4” 274lb defensive lineman came to TROY out of shape and never really made a huge impact last year (didn’t need to with our starters and second stringers). This year, however, he has to step up and move up. Not only does he have to start for us, he has to be the next big thing for us on the defensive line.

Gut feeling on the teams final record at the end of the regular season and what makes this a successful season in your eyes?

Gut feeling, huh? Sheesh, no pressure to be anyone’s message board fodder! I truly want to say 10-2, but since we are replacing a TON of talent off of last year’s team, I’ll go with 9-3 or 8-4. This does not count a bowl game, which I do think we’ll make again.

In 2007 Minnesota went 1-11 in Tim Brewster's first season. Since that time Minnesota has made it to two straight bowl games (finished 7-6 in 2008 and 6-7 in 2009). Minnesota will face an uphill battle this year as they return 9 offensive starters from what was statistically the worst offense in the Big Ten and only 2 from a middle of the pack Big Ten defense. We caught up with the Minnesota blog Fringe Bowl Team and found out what they thought about this upcoming year of Minnesota football.

What are the major strengths and biggest weaknesses of the team?

This may sound a bit funny for a team that lost 9 starters on D, but the major strengths of the 2010 Gophers are up the middle on defense (DTs, MLB and Safeties). JR DTs Brandon Kirksey & Jewhan Edwards are new starters but have played extensively over the last two years, subbing in for the starters over the last two years with little to no drop-off in performance. Edwards is a huge (6'2" 330+) clog in the middle with a surprising first step and Kirksey is a physical, tough defender with very good speed. JR Gary Tinsley takes over for former Gopher Lee Campbell at middle linebacker and pending the result of his legal troubles (Coach Brewster told ESPN's Adam Rittenberg that he expects Tinsley back in the mix this fall and he's not suspended), could be the vocal leader of the defense. Finally, the SR safeties Kim Royston & Kyle Theret are the only full-time starters that return from 2009 and they'll provide the leadership this young defense needs. Roytson is expected back for opening day after breaking his leg in spring practice and Theret is also expected back after facing DUI related suspension.

For weakness, I would say WRs and QB play, although the entire offense is seen as a big question mark. Specifically, someone other than JR Da'Jon McKnight will have to step up and make some plays at WR to replace the production of arguably the best Gopher WR of all time, Eric Decker. McKnight has the best big play ability of the returning starters and the other two players with starting experience - JR's Troy Stoudermire & Brandon Green - have been inconsistent throughout their careers. QB is the biggest enigma of all and the subject of much debate over the off-season. Not so much who will be the starter -- SR and 3 year starter Adam Weber had the job on lock over highly recruited SO MarQueis Gray -- but which Weber will show up: the Adam Weber that set Gopher passing records as a freshmen in '07 and was named second team All Big Ten in '08 or the Adam Weber that looked completely lost and threw more INTs than TDs in '09? Weber is on his 4th OC in 5 years at the U and really needs to step up his final season in order to steady the offense and return some production to a unit that was among the Big Ten's worst in 2009. Weber will need some more help and consistency from his offensive line and the running game too.

Looking at the schedule who will be the first major test and why?

Not to be cliche, but the first game of the year at Middle Tennessee St. could be a dog fight for the Gophers.

1) It's a Thursday night game, which are always tricky to prepare for.

2) It's against an opponent that won 10 games in 2009 and returns one of the most electrifying offensive talents in the country, QB Dwight Dasher.

3) This Gopher defense is arguably as talented, fast and athletic as any I've seen in over a decade, but they're young and will need to come together fast to stop an explosive MTSU offense.

4) MTSU was a deceptively good defense team in 2009 and returns most of their starters on D.

How the Gophers respond in what will likely be a hornet's nest down in Mufreesboro will tell us a lot about what to expect from the team in 2010.

What team on the schedule do you fear the most?

Fear? I guess I don't fear Ohio State or USC because most people expect the Gophers to lose those games, myself included. The team I fear the most is Purdue: the Boilermakers were a very good offensive team in 2009 and return a boatload of offensive talent in 2010. The unknown is what I feat the most, and not knowing how good QB Robert Marve or RB Al-Terek McBurse (starting in place of Ralph Bolden, out with an ACL tear) will be makes me uneasy, especially since the game is in West Lafayette - a place where the Gophers traditionally haven't played well.

Who is the best player on your team that nobody talks about?

It's probably LT Dom Alford. Given the amount of new starters on the D this year, most fans and media are paying extra attention to the potential breakout stars on that side of the ball while overlooking some of the maligned players on offense. Alford is a curious case: worked his way into the starting lineup at RT his freshmen year, switched over to LT in 2008 and has been injured for most of the last two years. When he's healthy -- which by all accounts from the spring, he is -- Alford is arguably the Gophers best linemen in pass protection.

Who is the best offensive player on the team?

It's a toss up between Weber and McKnight. Weber and McKnight showcased what they can do when everything is firing on all cylinders last Halloween against Michigan St. In what was a career night for both, Weber torched the Spartans for 416 yards and 5 TDs, while McKnight reeled in 4 catches for 98 yards. McKnight also put in a strong performance during the Insight Bowl with 7 catches and 124 yards. Another to keep an eye out for is TE Eric Lair.

Who is the most impactful defensive player on the team?

If impact is what you're looking for, DE D.L. Wilhite is probably the guy. Wilhite played sparingly last season as a RS Freshmen but was arguably the team's best pass rusher. If Wilhite can make the leap from situational player to full-time starter and bring pressure from the outside, he'll single handedly change the make-up of the defense.

What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it's full capability?

Without a doubt, Weber and to a lesser extent the WRs not named McKnight. I'm more bullish than most when looking at the Gopher defense, so I really think the season rests on Weber's right arm: this team will go as far as he can take them.

Who is the top offensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

There are a trio of true freshmen running backs (Lamonte Edwards, Devon Wright & Donnell Kirkwood) that will all compete with the returning starters Duane Bennett & Deleon Eskridge for playing time this fall. I'd expect two of the incoming RBs will get significant PT. Another to watch is JUCO TE Tiree Eure - a player that was almost interchangeable with current starter Eric Lair this spring.

Who is the top defensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

Look for RS Freshman safety Kenny Watkins to make some noise. Brewster expects returning starter Royston back by opening night, but if he's not fully recovered or the other starting safety (Theret) is suspended, Watkins will slide into the starting role. Watkins turned heads this spring with his aggressive play and speed from the strong safety spot.

Gut feeling on the teams final record at the end of the regular season and what makes this a successful season in your eyes?

Honestly, this is one of the more difficult seasons to handicap in recent memory. There are so many unknowns with the defense, QB, WR, running game and offensive line that they Gophers could literally finish anywhere from 4-8 to 9-3. My gut tells me that some teams on the schedule won't be as tough as they were in 2009 (i.e. PSU & Iowa) while others will be a lot tougher (UW & MSU). In the end, I'm predicting a 6-6/7-5 record and a return to a bowl game will make for a successful season.

Northwestern is coming off back-to-back winning seasons in the Big Ten. They face the challenge of replacing a quarterback that led them to lead the Big 10 in passing yardage. They have a favorable out of conference schedule and for the second consecutive year they miss out on playing Ohio State. How much noise can they make in the Big Ten? We reached out to the Northwestern blog Lake The Posts to find out more about how Northwestern will fare in 2010.

What are the major strengths and biggest weaknesses of the team?

Strengths should be the O-line, WRs and LB units. NU is finally at a point where we reload talent in to the system as opposed to having a big drop-off in the spread at the skill positions. That is, of course with notable exception - RB - where we've been scuffling. The RB slot is a key part of the difference between having a great year and an average year. A lot of eyes are on the secondary which will be tested early and often as we lost a lot to graduation.

Looking at the schedule who will be the first major test?

Opening game - Vanderbilt. Why? Northwestern is synonymous with losing games it shouldn't in the non-conference (see Syracuse last year) and a road game in SEC territory, regardless of expectations of Vandy is still a true test. As Wildcat fans who support a team that tends to underachieve in non-conference and over-achieve in Big Ten play this is par for the course.

What team on the schedule do you fear the most?

Considering there is no Ohio State on the schedule I'm happy to say "none". There are several "payback" games to keep an eye on - notably Iowa at home and Wisconsin on the road. Simply put, we've owned the Hawkeyes the past several years and the yellow-clad Iowa fans who are plentiful in Chicago are pissed. They've got the game on Nov. 13 circled especially considering we ruined their undefeated season last year. Wisconsin and NU always seems to be entertaining and last year's upset of the Badgers propelled NU to a New Year's Day bowl. You know the Badgers and specifically john Clay - who fumbled on the game's final drive - will be looking for retribution.

Who is the best player on your team that nobody talks about?

Probably Quentin Davie, LB. He's got a pro body and is really coming in to his own. He seems to have that intangible of incredible nose-for-the-ball closing speed. Corey Wootton and Sherrick McManis (CB) got all of the attention last year from the media, but I expect big things from Davie this year.

Who is the best offensive player on the team?

TBD. NU is in the same exact scenario on offense we were a year ago. Last year at this time, fans were left to ponder life after multi-year starter CJ Bacher at QB and the loss of a trio of senior WRs in Ross Lane, Rasheed Ward and Eric Peterman. A New Year's Bowl day appearance later and fans are lamenting how to replace QB Mike Kafka (Drafted by Philadelphia), and WRs Zeke Markshausen (went from 1 career reception to 90 in a season) and Andrew Brewer. Dan Persa has moxie at QB and like Kafka, is a huge threat with the run. There are high expectations of WR Jeremy Ebert who is finally healthy after a rough sophomore year. Sidney Stewart is a proven talent at WR as well.

Who is the most impactful defensive player on the team?

See above - likely Davie or DE Vince Browne. Browne had a great
freshman year in part due to the disruption caused by Corey Wootton. He slid back a tad last year and is a key for pressure this year. Keep an eye on CB Jordan Mabin.

What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it's full capability?

Obviously Dan Persa at QB whose major question (in addition to height) is his downfield arm to help stretch defenses (same EXACT question as last season). I'd also say Arby Fields at RB who is the incumbent at the 1-slot for RB right now. We simply have to get productivity out of the backfield which we did not last year.

Who is the top offensive newcomer that can make an impact this year (freshman, redshirt freshman or JUCO)?

What's a "JUCO"? Kidding. We simply don't get those at NU. As for RS freshman, Drew Moulton made some waves in the Spring Game and will be getting some serious time at WR. I'd say there are three true freshmen to keep an eye on. One is WR Tony Jones who has the potential to make an instant impact at WR. Also, Venric Mark is a true speed threat who may get a chance to actually be a PR as a frosh which is an area we were once solid, but have failed to capitalize on in recent memory. Since the RB slot is wide open, RB Adonis Smith shouldn't be dismissed as finding his way on to the field. Fitz is famous for redshirting nearly every player so these three would have to really make impressions this summer.

Who is the top defensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

I think RS FR DE Davon Custis could make some noise backing up Vince Browne. As for true freshman, DE Chance Carter has some high expectations from fans, but I suspect the Evanston native will get the RS tag. Carter chose NU over Notre Dame and Nebraska and has the "instant" impact traits.

Gut feeling on the teams final record at the end of the regular season and what makes this a successful season in your eyes?

Gut record is 7-5. Successful is easy - we win a bowl game and get the monkey off the back. I'd say 8-4 is very successful and above that is dream scenario for this team. Fitz finally has the program at a point where anything less than 7-5 is a major disappointment and with bowl appearances in every other year on average (2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009) getting to a bowl doesn't cut it anymore. We've got to get the "win".

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